Bryan, CIU Fall in NAIA Opening Round

WALESKA, Ga. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) had a rough go of it in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Opening Round as Bryan and Columbia International both fell in three sets on Saturday.

MISSOURI BAPTIST 3, BRYAN 0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-18)

Bryan visited No. 12 Missouri Baptist and put up a valiant effort. The Lady Lions took a four-point lead in the first set but MBU fought back and took set one with a score of 25-22. The Lions kept it close in the second set but in the end was unable to pull out the set win. MBU took set two with a score of 25-22. The Lions fought hard but they were unable to pull it out. They lost set three with a score of 25-18, getting swept by MBU. The Lady Lions finish out their season 27-6 overall.

Abby Rector and Gigi Ford posted 11 and 10 kills, respectively, for the Lions.

BETHEL 3, CIU 0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-17)

CIU volleyball recorded yet another milestone on Saturday as the Rams hosted the first-ever NAIA postseason competition in the school's history. However, despite a hard-fought battle, CIU succumbed to Bethel (Ind.) 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-17) in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Opening Round. The Rams fall to 35-8 on the season as they receive their first loss in 42 days.

Set one was certainly the Pilots' most dominant set of the match, as the Rams made a valiant effort in sets two and three. Set two saw CIU cut into a Bethel advantage trailing just 17-16 on a kill from Kira Rymer. The Rams again had a shot at a comeback in set three as Hadassah Davis brought the deficit to 15-13 on a kill. Both sets ultimately went the way of the Pilots leaving the Rams still looking for an elusive NAIA postseason win. 

Davis was superb as the freshman showed no nerves on the national stage, recording 13 kills in her first NAIA postseason match. Alana Sanjurjo was also an offensive force for CIU collecting six kills and two aces, while Rymer helped the Rams' cause with five kills and two block assists. Setter Kamelia De Jesus led CIU with 25 assists, and Kelcey Mangum solidified the Rams' defense with 12 digs.

(Stories provided by the Bryan and CIU sports information offices)